OPINION: A Microscopic View at Pres. Lungu’s China Mission

President Edgar Lungu has taken quite a battering from some sections of our society for a series mega million deals struck with China on the side-lines of the just concluded Beijing Summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

President Lungu has been accused of auctioning the country to the Chinese by striking long term deals with the one of the world’s biggest economic powers.

People have not drawn themselves to the background of these deals that seem to provide a window for development for some of the most critical sectors of our economy.

Any sane person would ask themselves why 53 of the 54 Heads of State were all gathered in China at the behest of their host President Xi Jinping. Only the Swazis were not represented at the summit as they still favour dealings with Taiwan.

We can imagine what condemnation President Lungu may have received if he were to be second absentee at the widely recognized global forum. His critics would have gone to town painting him black for not being at the table with the continent’s top diplomats negotiating developmental deals.

President Lungu has not birthed relations between Zambia and China as they are as historic as the founding of this country. Has China not been an ever present partner throughout the various stages of our country’s economic life? Do we not delight in the long term infrastructural legacy in the Tanzania-Zambia Railways, Mulungushi Textiles among others? Has China not been available for Zambian when all other powers could offer were expensive deals that permanently bonded our country? Does China not have the option to look elsewhere?

China itself has opened its doors to Africa with the continent at liberty to define its relations through summits like the just ended China Africa summit.

Before we get lost in the anti-China sentiments perhaps we could recap what has been some of the mega deals struck at the just ended China Africa-Summit on the Zambian front.

The agreement on the economic and technical cooperation to Zambia which is the provision of the 30 million dollars.

The letter for the extension of validity of economic and technical cooperation also worth 30 million dollars interest free loan to extend the 2012 agreement.

A memorandum of understanding on the belt and road initiative which is to provide for the cooperation between the two countries under a signature visionary initiative by President Xi Jinping which was signed by the Honourable Minister of National Development planning Alexander Chiteme.

An important agreement called the protocol on the export of honey from Zambia to China reiterating that this was a remarkable development because it emphasises the quality of the products from Zambia.

Another agreement was by CNMC – China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Company and the ministry of Commerce signed by Hon Christopher Yaluma which intends to establish an industrial park and facilitate for trainings in mining operations.

An MoU between a private company called Protea Infrastructure Development Fund regarding investment in a power plant was also signed by the ministry of Commerce.

A memorandum of understanding to invest in the mineral processing plant in Zambia by Maolian Technology who are the owners of Nkana Alloy, the owners of the Black Mountain saying they have signed an agreement to invest in an ultra-modern minerals processing plant in the multi-facility zone at Chambishi

Hon Brian Mushimba under Smart Zambia also signed another agreement with Huawei Institute regarding the launch and extension of the Smart Zambia project into phase 3.

The ministry of transport and communication also signed another memorandum of understanding with Huawei to cooperate in the expansion and development of ICTs.

So while we fret about the Zambia-China relations, we could perhaps zero in on the value of these deals struck otherwise we think there is no way of developing our country without looking elsewhere for progressive partners

SD

One zed

We can’t run away from China as a continent,it’s not only Zambia Chinese are every where all we need is good policies,I love the way MoU have been stipulated hope others can get the sense there.lets support one another and critise were it’s worth, critic’s will always be there to keep us going.

japhan

It would make more sense to define what transactions the Chinese can not participate in.Imagine a Zambian having a Chinese landlord? Your country,your land and you paying a foreigner to live? Wake up Zambian!

japhan

The Chosen One

I agree with article. Some of us Zambians think that there’s some else out there who owes us everything. We deserve a good life but we don’t have to work for it. Even when another country is gifting us something we think we deserve it & better. Even in work places employees think they deserve their jobs & salaries even if they don’t work. We need to wake up. The Chinese have a plan & we also need our plan. We need to get out best of this relationship with China. No one owes us anything but we shouldn’t be quick to insult those willing to help as if we deserved their help. Some of us are so spoilt. We are responsible for our own development & we need to engage with any country in the world that is willing on win-win basis. Nothing is for free even from China. God Bless Zambia

kass-88

jedidia

mr life

This coparations it don’ts make any sense it means goverment under president edgar lungu is failed to develop the country with there own how came everything china and people working like slaves to chines people this is the first time to happen in zambia because of corrupted leaders
its very sad to our future generation because everything is for chinese people dununa reverse sure.

Mr. K

No one can chose a friend for Zambia ichikwanka ba chimona Ku mampalanya China assisted Zambia when her border was closed by smith and now we have tazara Zambia has a friend in the name of China who is hakainde in this global mirror?

DEOKA

Unknown

Bwana

If funds received are Used prudently them Zambia can develop within no time. But corruption is what is killing us,those big loans if used for intended purpose then this nation can move forward. Most of this money goes in people’s pockets. Too bad for zambia. Leadership??????

Corruption now will be worse

Why complain when you can fail to run Factories built for you by the same Chinese people you are criticising. Mulungushi textiles was built by the Chinese and handed over to Zambians to run it, what happened? Total failure! Why?,because of recruiting unqualified people based on tribalism. Zambians need to change from being simple thinkers to serious ones and learn to be frank by calling ‘ a spade a spade .’ Otherwise the President is trying his best.

MR.2021

PROPHET SAMBO-Endtime prophet

Zambians WAKE UP! Are you sleeping or WHAT-THIS IS SELLING A COUNTRY TO THE CHINESE -CHINAS SYMBOL IS THE DRAGON-WHAT DOES A DRAGON DO IT CONSUMES AND SWALLOWS.
WE ARE IN THE ENDTIMES.

THE ALTAR FOR ZAMBIA NEEDS TO BE RENEWED BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN DEFILED BECAUSE VERY WRONG ADVISERS TO THE PRESIDENT.

THE ONE THAT MAKES A PRESIDENT TO BECOME A BETTER PRESIDENT IS THE ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT.

I WARNED THE GOVERNMENT AGAINST HAVING ANY PARTERNERSHIPS WITH CHINA,RUSSIA,TURKEY BECAUSE THESE NATIONS ARE USED BY SATAN AND THEY ARE DICTATOR PRESIDENTS .

IF WE DO NOT PRAY AND RENEW OUR VOWS YOU SEE THE PERSECUTION AN SLAVERY THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN THIS NATION.

I SENT THIS AUDIO TO MANY BELIEVERS TO PRAY ABOUT IT I WENT AS FAR AS STATE HOUSE TO WARN THE PRESIDENT AGAINST ALLOWING TURKEY PRESIDENT(When you go to REVELATION 2 you will find PERGAMUM and THYATIRA that is the Current TURKEY-SATANS THRONE is in TURKEY(Anti Christ-Ottoman Empire Revelation 13),CHINA IS THE DRAGON and alliances Revelation 13, RUSSIA 3BEAST revelation 6:5-6) INTO OUR NATION BECAUSE ON 21 JULY 2018 THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALED TO ME TO MOVE QUICKLY AND GO AND WARN THE PRESIDENT BEFORE THIS MAN ENTERED OUR NATION ON 28/7/18 DURING THE BLOOD MOON.

I WAS NOT ALLOWED AT STATE HOUSE SO I WENT TO RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS MINISTRY SAME DAY ON 24/7/18 WARNING THEM TO WARN THE PRESIDENT BECAUSE OF THE INSTRUCTION I WAS GIVEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

BUT IT IS LIKE IT FELL ON DEAF EARS OR EITHER THE PRESIDENT WAS TOLD BUT THE ADVISOR MAY HAVE ADVISED HIM. WRONGLY.

THEY KNOW ZAMBIA IS A BLESSED NATION AND NOW THESE NATIONS WANT TO CAPTURE ZAMBIA AND OTHER NATIONS AND PEOPLE BECOME LIKE SLAVES AGAIN.

Text me on this Line and I will send you the Warning Audio I sent +260979602188 to most people to pray about it and send message to the President.

GOD WILL NOT ALLOW THE DEVIL TO GET THE UPPER HAND IN THIS NATION. WE HAVE A COVENANT WITH JESUS OUR MASTER. HE WILL BE PUT TO SHAME.

not real me

People you can’t run away from truth, this country is protected by cause we have the foundation which was layed way back don’t fear Edgar is not our God ,do not fear for am with you that’s what God said we are in the end times if you haven’t repented do it now cause Edgar is just a human fresh who is bound to be judged one day maaaaah zambians !!!!!!!!

not real me

People you can’t run away from truth, this country is protected by God, cause we have the foundation which was layed way back don’t fear Edgar is not our God ,do not fear for am with you that’s what God said we are in the end times if you haven’t repented do it now cause Edgar is just a human fresh who is bound to be judged one day maaaaah zambians !!!!!!!!

Zingalume

We need to learn to appreciate. Whenever u hate someone,u’ll hate him forever even if he does something great u will never appreciate him/her.We know u Simuzakawinapo u’ll just keep on complaining and to make the matters worse the President u are criticising is the one we are going to vote for in the next coming Election.

Pani yopanga

edmond nathans

Mk

Mk

Mr. President and your good government or may I say the great thinkers…. The plan Zambia china together is just well and I think that’s one way of developing it’s a good plan don’t worry about these opposition parties what they want is them to rule……. We are ready to cooperate with China….. Chambia